The perfect opportunity to discover two Italian cities steeped in art and culture : Venice and Florence.And what better way to travel there than by train ?
Forget the stress of airports, airline travel and fastidious out-of-town transfers. After a good night's sleep and breakfast in your own two-berth private compartment, you'll arrive on Venice's doorsteps, literally on the steps leading down to the Grand Canal.
Three days exploring the city's maze of streets, canals and islands will give you a good introduction to Italy's treasures before you take the high-speed train to Florence. The "Frecciargento" will whisk you there in barely two hours and after a three-day stay in the heart of Tuscany, you will take another comfortable night train back to Paris and easy connections to your onward destinations such as London, Brussels or Amsterdam.
Departure point: Paris
End point: Paris
Departure dates: Saturdays, 2nd March-7th December 2013
Subject to availability at the time of booking
Journey type: Individual / Individuel,
1st day Saturday
After travelling from your homeward point of departure to Paris, the night express is awaiting in the Parisian terminus of Gare de Lyon. Shortly before 7pm, installation in your private air-conditioned sleeping compartment, comprising two bunk berths with sheets and blankets, washbasin and hangars. A dining car is available for an evening meal. Night on board train.
2nd day Sunday
After breakfast served in your compartment by the attendant, arrival at Venezia Santa Lucia terminus at 9.30am. The station is directly on the Grand Canal and after alighting you can collect your travel cards at the nearby tourist office.The cards enable you travel unhindered for three days on Venice's network of city waterways and even ferries to the outer islands.
With your cards collected and your luggage deposited at your nearby 3*** hôtel, (rooms are ready during the afternoon) lunch at leisure before joining an afternoon two-hour walking tour, highlighting all the important monuments, from San Marco Square to the Rialto Bridge. You'll learn the history behind the famous landmarks, including the basilica's Byzantine heritage and the adjoining prisons of the Doge's Palace and the famed basilica of St. Mark's, without having to stand in long queues. The afternoon wll be rounded off with a relaxing cruise along the Grand Canal of Venice whilst learning the history of the stunning palaces and churches that line the famous canal. Evening dinner at leisure.
First night in Venice.
3rd Monday
After breakfast you have the whole day to enjoy Venice: don't hesitate to leave the well-trodden tourist tracks and make a foray into Venice's maze of narrow streets and surprising hidden squares and parks. Lunch and dinner at leisure.
Second night in Venice.
4th day Tuesday
After a hearty breakfast, make the most of your final day and, if you hadn't done so already, try and visit the beautiful island of Torcello steeped in its history of glorious yesteryears. Lunch and dinner at leisure.
Third and final night in Venice.
5th day Wednesday
After breakfast, you make your way back to the station to take the high-speed train to Florence.
This comfortable but short journey (two hours) takes you to the centre of Florence in time to have a full afternoon free in the Tuscan capital. Your 3*** hôtel is centrally located and close to the railway station and after checking-in you'll join an afternoon guided tour. This begins with panoramic views of Florence, Fiesole and the Arno Valley. Next, you'll visit the old city center to see the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce (exterior). A short walk through the heart of Florence brings you to the famous Piazza Signoria, where you can see the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (exterior) and the beautiful Loggia del Lanzi. Next you'll visit the Uffizi Gallery to admire superb paintings by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Giotto. The tour concludes at the Uffizi. Dinner at leisure.
First of three nights in Florence.
6th day Thursday
After breakfast your morning guided tour starts with a drive up to Piazzale Michelangelo to admire wonderful panoramic views of Florence. Next, you'll take a walking tour of the of the cathedral (exterior) in the old city center, including Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery with its bronze doors and the famous cupola by Brunelleschi. A short walk brings you to the Accademia Gallery which houses the statue of David by Michelangelo. Lunch at leisure. Afternoon free for individual exploration of Florence; it's without a doubt one of Italy's most beautiful cities: a world-renowned capital of art, it jealously preserves its rich history and lays claim to 25 % of the world's masterpieces and fully 50% of Italy's! Dinner at leisure.
Second night in Florence.
7th day Friday
For this whole day at leisure, why not make a visit by train to nearby Sienna? Just 90 minutes by frequent regional train, you'll be amply rewarded by its 14th century square, Gothic architecture and timeless charm. Nestling in the heart of the Umbrian countryside, between the Chianti hills to the north, the Montagnola to the west and the Senesi to the south, the town is a prime example of medieval and rennaissance Italy. Lunch and dinner at leisure.
Third and final night in Florence
8th day Saturday
After breakfast and check-out (before 11am) you have another full day to enjoy in Florence before taking your evening express back to Paris, once again comfortably installed in your private sleeping compartment.
9th day
After breakfast served in your compartment, the train draws into the Gare de Lyon in Paris shortly after 9am, leaving you plenty of time for homeward connections on to London, Brussels, Amsterdam etc.
1255 € per person, based on two persons sharing a sleeping compartment and double room. Supplements may be applicable for May, June and September departures, detailed when your booking request is submitted.
All departures are subject to availability at the time your booking request is submitted.
What's included:
6 nights in 3*** centrally-located hôtels.
7 breakfasts.
2 nights in a private sleeping compartment on board the Paris-Venice and Florence-Paris overnight sleeper trains. Each compartment has two bunk beds with pillow cases, sheets and blankets, washbasin and coat hangars.
Reserved seats on board the «Frecciargento» high-speed train between Venice and Florence (2nd Class).
Transport card for Venice, valid for three days travel.
A two-hour guided walking tour of Venice.
A one-hour cruise along the Grand Canal in Venice
2 x three-hour guided coach/walking tours of Florence
What's not included:
Travel and medical insurance.
Meals not mentioned above, personal expenditure, any Visa expenses for non-EU nationals.
Extra nights: Should you wish, we will be happy to quote for any extra nights in either Venice or Florence.
Single supplement : Please enquire.
Overnight travel in four-berth couchette compartment instead of a private two-berth sleeper compartment : Please enquire for the reduction applicable.
Family travel : Please enquire.
Extra nights: Should you wish, we will be happy to quote for any extra nights in either Venice or Florence.
